Tips for a new computer

If you're one of the lucky ones who received a shiny new PC under the tree ... congratulations. Twice if it's an Apple. Before you fire up your new baby, you will need to do some maintenance.

The first, if you have a Windows PC, is anti-virus software.

Really. Before you do anything else. I know, you think your PC came with antivirus protection. It may have, but your work is not done. If it came with a trial version, you need to decide if you're going to keep it. If you are, you may need to double-click on the icon and complete the install process. Then run the update to get the latest virus definitions. Then note the date of expiration (most PCs come with 90 days of coverage.) About a week before that date, you need to decide if you're going to keep it or install one of the free solutions out there. If you decide to keep the retail product, you may be better off buying a complete version in the store — with rebates, they often are much cheaper than renewing online.

For a free product, I would use AVG (free.grisoft.com). I have been fond of this free product for years and remain so. There are other free antivirus products available too, including Avast. You can see a selection at File Hippo (www.filehippo.com). While you're there, get the excellent CCleaner, a free app that cleans Windows hard drives of junk.

The next step is to uninstall all of the applications you don't want. I was hired to set up a new Dell the other day and it took me 30 minutes to remove all of the stuff on the hard drive the customer didn't want, including a pesky "free" trial version of Quickbooks and a version of McAfee that refused to die.

Next? Run Windows update (update.microsoft.com) and install all of the current Windows patches and set your PC up to receive automatic updates. Of special note is Windows Service Pack 3, which is a must-have.

If your PC came with a trial version of Microsoft Office, your next decision is whether to fork over the dough for a full version. If you have a student in the house, you can qualify for a cheaper Academic version, which is good enough for most consumers.

If you want to spend nothing, get OpenOffice, a powerful office suite for free (www.openoffice.org). Most people can't believe you get a complete office suite for free, but you do.

Next, download Firefox (www.getfirefox.com), which is a much better browser for both Windows and Apple computers.

If you plan to plug your computer into the wall for power (a GREAT idea) then buy a surge strip (not a power strip) to plug into the wall first. Spend about $25 now and you won't have to hire me later to replace your power supply and motherboard after a power spike from the utility company. Another option is a battery backup unit, which you can get for $50 and up.

Lastly, don't leave your laptop running on a bed or couch. It will burn up.

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James Derk is owner of CyberDads, a computer repair firm, and tech columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is jim@cyberdads.com.